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25 August 2026
The Pacific’s deep-sea fault line
As great powers race for the critical minerals scattered on the ocean floor, the Pacific is splitting into two camps — those betting on deep-sea mining as an economic lifeline, and those warning the environmental risks are too great. In this episode of Lowy Institute Conversations, Dr Connor Graham speaks with Dr Philippa Louey, Senior Research Associate at the Lancaster Environment Centre, about what's driving the rush, where Australia fits in, and whether the region can find common ground before mining starts.
Featuring
Connor Graham
Connor Graham is a Research Fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute.